Add in the fact Ottawa haas like 2 actual scouts, they obviously are going to go with who they are familiar with.

It would be interesting to see a GM or scout give a really good take of what actually happens rather than generic comments or shots at people posting opinions online. There are elements that fans and media don't get to see.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Mann stated they were close on a few occasions of trading back into the first round. I wonder who they were targeting.

But you said it, many GM's are robots when it comes to toeing the company line.

All the ppl crapping on these picks are the same ones who went nuts two years ago about not drafting Kaliyev over pinto and who were roaring mad about the wasted pick that was Tyler Klevan last year…until they actually saw those kids play. One game of NoDak hockey highlights later and everyone started seeing a Scott Stevens/Rob Blake style eventual top 4 d-man.

The same people on here gripe about the same ol crap every single year….

1997
“Who’s this bust Marian Hossa we drafted 12th overall? Never heard of him and they passed on a TON of skill leaving Mikael Holmqvist on the board and that beauty of d-man Scott Hannah. Ottawa will regret this pick for sure. We do Shouldve traded up to grab Sergei Samsonov or Daniel Tcakchuk, they’re gonna be the real stars…

2000
Who the hell is Anton Volchenkov? God I hate this team, we could’ve easily had Krys Kolanos or that beauty Brad Boyes. This guy has put up no points in junior, gonna be a total bust! Sens don’t know how to scout!

2006
Nick Foligno???? What the hell Ottawa? Going with an NHL-familiar name rather than trying to move up to grab players who are more likely to have successful careers like…Michael Grabner or Andreas Nodl or Cory Emmerton who will all be better than this bust…

2010
Why do we keep wasting our depth selections on over-Agers that are never gonna grow into anything. Why are we drafting busts with boring names like Mike Hoffman and Mark Stone when we can focus on skilled, talented players who can actually skate. Another pathetic set of later round picks by the Sens.

This is how you chumps sound every…single…year and each time it gets more and more hilarious to read

I really like the character of this team.

I understand the joy that some people get from nit picking individual selections but you need to understand your problem is not with Dorion's selections, it is with his hockey philosophy.

He takes a Sanderson over a Drysdale because he wants the size and grit over the skill. You are always going to believe he could have made a better skill choice but he will always disappoint you.

After the selection of Boucher, Brady texted Dorion and basically said he is our kind of player. These guys really believe in what they are doing. I also believe in them.
- spatso

There is no doubt Dorion is trying to establish an identity with this team, you see it with his picks.....they definitely don't want what went on in Karlsson's time as captain, when it come to locker room antics......

All the ppl crapping on these picks are the same ones who went nuts last year about not drafting Kaliyev over pinto and who were roaring mad about the wasted pick that was Tyler Klevan last year…until they actually saw those kids play. One game of NoDak hockey highlights later and everyone started seeing a Scott Stevens/Rob Blake style eventual top 4 d-man.

The same people on here gripe about the same ol crap every single year….

1997
“Who’s this bust Marian Hossa we drafted 12th overall? Never heard of him and they passed on a TON of skill leaving Mikael Holmqvist on the board and that beauty of d-man Scott Hannah. Ottawa will regret this pick for sure. We do Shouldve traded up to grab Sergei Samsonov or Daniel Tcakchuk, they’re gonna be the real stars…

2000
Who the hell is Anton Volchenkov? God I hate this team, we could’ve easily had Krys Kolanos or that beauty Brad Boyes. This guy has put up no points in junior, gonna be a total bust! Sens don’t know how to scout!

2006
Nick Foligno???? What the hell Ottawa? Going with an NHL-familiar name rather than trying to move up to grab players who are more likely to have successful careers like…Michael Grabner or Andreas Nodl or Cory Emmerton who will all be better than this bust…

2010
Why do we keep wasting our depth selections on over-Agers that are never gonna grow into anything. Why are we drafting busts with boring names like Mike Hoffman and Mark Stone when we can focus on skilled, talented players who can actually skate. Another pathetic set of later round picks by the Sens.

This is how you chumps sound every…single…year and each time it gets more and more hilarious to read
- ahjnkn

Some great examples going way back. I remember when Hossa blew out his knee at the Memorial Cup playing with Portland, fans sooooo thought we had damaged goods for sure after we drafted Hossa.

Not saying Boucher was a bad pick but surely Dorian had to have known he was going to drop & why wouldnt he have parlayed that #10 pick for an extra pick & still get his guy. Im sure Flames would have coughed up one of their extra 3rds to move from 12 to 10 & get Sillinger who I think was their primary target but fcking Columbus took him just before us. Dorian could have gotten extra assets & still got his man.
- Kevin R

There was so much moving around in the first round but in the 2nd half of the 1st round.....I really thought Ottawa would trade back if they couldn't get Clarke or McTavish.

I can only assume, Ottawa did not have a ton of interest in brining in Reinhart and having to give him a lucrative contract. Would have been nice to get him for relatively cheap via trade and lock him in, but alas, this is Melnyk's team.

I'm surprised to see you as disappointed as you are seeing how this year is sort of a mess scouting-wise in what already was perceived a weak draft. While agree some of the off the board picks are frustrating in that they could have utilized picks a little better, but at the end of the day, a majority of these players may never see significant NHL ice time. Maybe I am more naive this year than last since I paid close attention to prospects last year and next to zero attention this year.

I do agree with the disappointment on not grabbing more naturally skilled players. I've had this issue with the Sens for years now. It seems they'd rather risk having a player who is well rounded probably make the NHL on a 3rd or 4th line because of that style of play rather than risk taking a skilled guy who may never be able to transition to the professional game, but if they do, could be a star. The surprising thing with this is that, most of the most impressive Sens drafted players, were skilled players who needed to work in other areas, not the well-rounded, 2-way player.

I don't think this was a failed draft but I am interested to know what the game plan is to get this team to the next step. Stu, Batherson, and Formenton should take a step this year. Tkachuk, Norris, C. Brown, and Chabot should continue the pace they have reached. Pinto, Bernard-Docker, Branstrom, and Mete should have opportunities to have break through professional campaigns. White, L. Brown, Dadonov should have opportunities to bounce back. I wonder if the team stays pat for this season to really gauge what their prospect pool is at. At a certain point, you need to start moving forward and prospects and drafts are secondary. I think that might be the feeling this draft had. It just felt like a side gig rather than a moment to shape your franchise. Maybe that will be a good thing if this team starts to be competitive or maybe it won't be and we will look back and identify this draft year as a bit of missed opportunity.

I'm excited to turn the page on the draft and get amped for the season. Should be much more entertaining than the same-8-opponents-tarp-filled season we all suffered through.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

On Reinhart, next year's 1st round pick I would have been totally fine with moving it, especially considering it shouldn't be in the first half of the first round, plus with 11 picks in nest year's draft.....sending the 1st round pick with a prospect....why not? You would be getting a 25 goal guy that would elevate your top 6 forwards immediately!

Do you think, maybe, that Pierre McGuire working with Brian Boucher for years had anything to do with this first round reach??

On Reinhart, next year's 1st round pick I would have been totally fine with moving it, especially considering it shouldn't be in the first half of the first round, plus with 11 picks in nest year's draft.....sending the 1st round pick with a prospect....why not? You would be getting a 25 goal guy that would elevate your top 6 forwards immediately!
- Kevin Francis

Ottawa will missing the playoffs again

There was so much moving around in the first round but in the 2nd half of the 1st round.....I really thought Ottawa would trade back if they couldn't get Clarke or McTavish.
- Kevin Francis

I believe McTavish was first on the Sens short list. I expect there was a second (perhaps Clarke) and Boucher was third.

Apparently Trent Mann pushed back when he was questioned after the draft. He is supposed to have said "you don't know what we know." Sens feel really good about their draft. Mann cited Chabot and Pinto as few cases where there was whining after the draft.

So, why Ben Roger, the 6'4" London Knight stringbean. Turns out he gained 35 lbs leading up to the draft. More important the physical growth occurred under the supervision of the Belleville Sens strength and conditioning coach. I did not know that when they first selected him.

On Reinhart, next year's 1st round pick I would have been totally fine with moving it, especially considering it shouldn't be in the first half of the first round, plus with 11 picks in nest year's draft.....sending the 1st round pick with a prospect....why not? You would be getting a 25 goal guy that would elevate your top 6 forwards immediately!
- Kevin Francis

In order for Ottawa to make playoffs they will need to leap frog over multiple teams. If, the Sens can play the Leafs and Canadiens even over the season, they will be in the hunt for post season play.

If I had a best role model, Barkov is the kind of player that could lift this Sens team to the next level. I also love Sean Couturier. I want some size and a guy who can go head to head with Matthews and play him even. I don't want or need a guy that will outscore him over the season.

they said SJS was looking to move down, so OTT didnt even try for a guy like guenther but went with the 3rd/4th liner that Boucher will turn into
- Mithos

you can't say they didn't try, you have no idea.....maybe they did try and what SJ was asking for was just too much

Here are a few interesting excerpts from a SportsNet article on Ottawa selecting Boucher:

The Ottawa Senators have never been afraid to defy convention on draft night. Remember when they were questioned for taking Brady Tkachuk fourth overall when he’d only scored eight goals at Boston University? That pick, in 2018, worked out just fine, thank you.

The Sens hope the same will be said of their 2021 pick, when they went off the board to select right winger Tyler Boucher at 10th overall. Boucher, ranked 25th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting, is a Tom Wilson-type, a highly aggressive and powerfully built forward from Haddonfield, N.J.

Boucher played for the U18 National Team Development Program this season and was limited to 12 games due to a case of COVID-19 and a knee injury, which didn’t help his draft rank. He did produce six goals and five assists in those 12 games.

With the NTDP U17 program in 2019-20, Boucher earned a name for himself by nearly reaching the century mark in penalty minutes (98) in 43 games played. The six-foot-one, 205-pound Boucher can score a bit, too. He produced 26 points in those 43 games, including nine goals.

The 18-year-old is a Boston University commit for the fall. No doubt, the Senators brass imagine the possibilities of Tkachuk -- also a BU player -- on one wing and Boucher on the other, making life miserable for playoff opponents down the road.

NHLentrydraft.com had Boucher listed among their “five under the radar American picks” for the 2021 draft, and noted Boucher’s developing scoring touch.

It was unfortunate for Boucher -- but perhaps a blessing in disguise for Ottawa eyeing this sleeper pick -- that injuries kept Boucher out of the World U18 showcase this year, which became a key tournament for scouts desperate to see prospects in action.

Boucher agrees his style of play is well suited to NHL playoff hockey and noted that the Tampa Bay Lightning had grit on all four lines.

Boucher has spoken with Tkachuk and Senators centre Josh Norris numerous times, through their USA hockey connection.

Here are a few interesting excerpts from a SportsNet article on Ottawa selecting Boucher:

The Ottawa Senators have never been afraid to defy convention on draft night. Remember when they were questioned for taking Brady Tkachuk fourth overall when he’d only scored eight goals at Boston University? That pick, in 2018, worked out just fine, thank you.

The Sens hope the same will be said of their 2021 pick, when they went off the board to select right winger Tyler Boucher at 10th overall. Boucher, ranked 25th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting, is a Tom Wilson-type, a highly aggressive and powerfully built forward from Haddonfield, N.J.

Boucher played for the U18 National Team Development Program this season and was limited to 12 games due to a case of COVID-19 and a knee injury, which didn’t help his draft rank. He did produce six goals and five assists in those 12 games.

With the NTDP U17 program in 2019-20, Boucher earned a name for himself by nearly reaching the century mark in penalty minutes (98) in 43 games played. The six-foot-one, 205-pound Boucher can score a bit, too. He produced 26 points in those 43 games, including nine goals.

The 18-year-old is a Boston University commit for the fall. No doubt, the Senators brass imagine the possibilities of Tkachuk -- also a BU player -- on one wing and Boucher on the other, making life miserable for playoff opponents down the road.

NHLentrydraft.com had Boucher listed among their “five under the radar American picks” for the 2021 draft, and noted Boucher’s developing scoring touch.

It was unfortunate for Boucher -- but perhaps a blessing in disguise for Ottawa eyeing this sleeper pick -- that injuries kept Boucher out of the World U18 showcase this year, which became a key tournament for scouts desperate to see prospects in action.

Boucher agrees his style of play is well suited to NHL playoff hockey and noted that the Tampa Bay Lightning had grit on all four lines.

Boucher has spoken with Tkachuk and Senators centre Josh Norris numerous times, through their USA hockey connection.
- HoweHatrick

A+. Really good read.

I forgot Tkachuk scored only 8 lousy goals. Hated the pick.

Still wonder why Sens took Sanderson over Drysdale. But, this is what Dorion and Mann believe in. Ottawa wants size, grit and mean combined with the right mix speed and skill (always room for a Chabot, Stutzle, Formenton or a Connor Brown). Yet, even Formenton plays with a nasty edge.

Slowly I am being won over.

Been a few years since I looked forward to Leaf/Sens games like I am for the coming year. After 5 years am going to get a season ticket package. Sens don't need to outscore Matthews and Marner. They need to keep them to the outside and pound the piss out of them on every shift and by the end of the season they will own the scoreboard.

So, welcome Tyler Boucher, you are a good fit!

At least everybody is on the same page. That includes Dorion, Smith and Tkachuk that seems to be involved in scouting and coaching. They all believe in grunt hockey. Be a hard to play against bubble team and you'll keep the fans interested.

There is no doubt Dorion is trying to establish an identity with this team, you see it with his picks.....they definitely don't want what went on in Karlsson's time as captain, when it come to locker room antics......
- Kevin Francis

Locker room antics are reflective of poor management. And good for Dorion if he learnt from that.

Do you think, maybe, that Pierre McGuire working with Brian Boucher for years had anything to do with this first round reach??
- Udogs

I wonder how much input he had. I would suspect they pretty much knew what they were doing before mcguire arrived. Im sure they bounced it off him though.

At least everybody is on the same page. That includes Dorion, Smith and Tkachuk that seems to be involved in scouting and coaching. They all believe in grunt hockey. Be a hard to play against bubble team and you'll keep the fans interested.
- granpa

I think it is more complex. Salary distribution combined with a fixed cap is telling us that teams putting 50% plus of their salary into a few elite players will struggle when playoffs come around.

You need to be able to go 4 lines deep. You might be able to succeed in the regular season with all your salary compressed on your top two lines...but, it will be hard getting out of the first round of the playoffs against a 4 line deep roster.

At least everybody is on the same page. That includes Dorion, Smith and Tkachuk that seems to be involved in scouting and coaching. They all believe in grunt hockey. Be a hard to play against bubble team and you'll keep the fans interested.
- granpa

Indeed for this year as it stands. ....btw thats funny tkachuck
When are they going to try and make the next jump? Perhaps free agency when it opens? When is the window open to make the jump? This year? Next year? 3 years? Can Dorion make the proper decision? Right now the Sens are at a crucial point of management decisions.. the tear down and prospect aquistions are complete.

Indeed for this year as it stands. ....btw thats funny tkachuck
When are they going to try and make the next jump? Perhaps free agency when it opens? When is the window open to make the jump? This year? Next year? 3 years? Can Dorion make the proper decision? Right now the Sens are at a crucial point of management decisions.. the tear down and prospect aquistions are complete.
- spazzbot

Really important point you make. Many teams have floundered because they tried to force it all too soon. Leafs might be the best recent example of having to pay a price because of a lack of patience. When they signed Tavares they committed themselves to a win now approach and their fans have been routinely and bitterly disappointed every year since.

Colorado on the other hand, like Tampa before them, seems to be patient enough to live with the disappointments and poke around the edges looking for the incremental improvements. Landeskog is an incredibly important decision for them. They rightly made the decision to give priority to Makar. MacKinnon is on the horizon. They might need to let Landeskog walk in order to ensure an elite balanced roster that goes 4 lines deep.

Remind me of how many other teams have had to defend themselves in public like this before the draft weekend is even out?
https://www.thescore.com/...-doesnt-know-what-we-know

Apparently we should all just shut up because they know better than everyone, including the hundreds of other scouts and experts who have seem far more players than their bare-bones scouting team. In fact, despite it being among the most uncertain drafts in recent history, Mann apparently knew for sure where a reach-pick like Boucher would have been selected if they'd traded down, which is borderline miraculous. Oh wait... it's actually stupid and incorrect, because it's quite literally impossible to know that for sure. But thanks for the public display of arrogance, Mr. Mann.

For the record, I was one of the people defending the Tkachuk, Bernard-Docker, Thomson, Pinto, or Sogaard picks. I'll admit I was disappointed with the Sanderson, Greig, Jarventie, and Kleven picks, but those were all at least taken within 10-15 picks of their expected range, and they were still targeting players with clear and substantial upside. But this year is just on a whole different level. Now of course I'll be hoping that Tyler Boucher becomes a good player, but I'm sorry on the surface they've drafted guys with 3rd/4th line potential at best. And they're nowhere near a good enough team from a skill perspective to not be drafting for players with a lot more upside.

Hey Sporting News, what do you think? Nope, worst draft ranking of any team. https://www.sportingnews....amb7lwfk88e61kfqphensmbwk

Hey, what about the Hockey News? Nope, they're the first 'losers' discussed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9k5J7MFI5k&t=4s

Guess these guys don't know anything either? Or maybe... just maybe... it wasn't a very good performance by the Senators, and people need to start grasping the possibility of that.